Japfa set to feast on pork shortage, higher prices amid African swine fever outbreak

Lean hog futures have already jumped 55 per cent since the beginning of the year, as the global swine supply deteriorates

Uma Devi

Published Tue, Apr 13, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Pork

Singapore

JAPFA'S swine operations in Vietnam could experience a boost in profitability as another outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) across certain Asia-Pacific countries exacerbates an ongoing pork supply deficit.

Lean hog futures have already jumped 55 per cent since the beginning of the year, and are currently hovering at seven-year highs.

The big rally has been attributed partly to the end of a two-month price ceiling on pork imports by the Philippines, as it seeks to address a domestic shortage by ramping up purchases from abroad.

But it is mostly said to be driven by reduced global supplies due to the ASF outbreak in China, the world's top pork producer and consumer.

On March 6, China confirmed outbreaks of ASF in its key pork producing provinces of Sichuan and Hubei. This came less than two years after an ASF outbreak wiped out about half of the coun…